Patriots Journal: Little time to bask in Broncos win

Monday

Jan 16, 2012 at 9:00 PM

FOXBORO — The Patriots may be trying to focus on Sunday’s game against Baltimore, but given how impressive they looked against Denver, however, the players found themselves fielding a number of questions about Saturday’s performance.

By CAROLYN THORNTON | | Journal SPorts WRITER

FOXBORO - The Patriots may be trying to focus on Sunday's gameagainst Baltimore, but given how impressive they looked againstDenver, however, the players found themselves fielding a number ofquestions about Saturday's performance.

Deion Branch, for example, was asked to recount the 61-yardtouchdown pass he caught from Tom Brady late in the second quarter.It was one of the prettiest passes Brady threw that night. It alsogave New England a 28-7 lead over the Broncos with 1:57 remainingin the half.

"My job is just to get open," the veteran wide receiver saidsimply. "I know there's times when I have the opportunity that(Brady) may throw me the ball, and that was one of them. Earlier inthe game, we had it, but it was against the coverage. But he hit(Rob) Gronkowski across the middle. So the middle of the field wasopen and also on the outside about 30 yards down the field wasopen. We came back - not the same play, but sort of the same lookwith me and Wes (Welker) this time instead of Gronkowski - so wetook advantage of it the second time."

Baltimore coach John Harbaugh and his staff have only just begunto break down film on the Patriots, but they already have a verygood idea what they'll be up against when they face Brady, Branchand the rest of the New England offense.

"If you watch 'SportsCenter,' you've seen their offense,"Harbaugh said in his news conference Monday. "They can hurt you in100 different ways. They use their personnel groups really well;whereas most teams, when they go two tight ends, it's usually asomewhat running formation or at least a balanced formation. Theycan do anything. They can go in diesel, which is a two-tight endlook, two receivers and a back, and they can spread them all outand make them look like five-wide [receivers] and can be just asefficient if it was five-wide because their guys are so athletic.It's a big predicament for us. It's a challenge, but it's what youlike, because we can be a challenge, too."

Praising Bill

Harbaugh, in his 14th year coaching in the NFL and his fourthyear coaching the Ravens, also spoke of his respect for Patriotscoach Bill Belichick.

"Maybe it's the old special-teams guys, you know? I just respectBill Belichick as a coach and as a man. I just really do," Harbaughsaid. "I think he's the greatest coach in our league right now, andthat's proven. And that's why you get so excited to have anopportunity to play against a guy [like him] as a coach. But thatreally … that's for most of the guys around the league; Ijust respect them. What he stands for as a coach and the way heputs his team together and all that, you admire it. And then he'salways treated me well over the years. He's always been at the topof the profession, and when somebody in that position treats ayounger guy well, you certainly appreciate that. So, those are thetwo things I can think of.

"Not to mention," Harbaugh added, "He's a big [Johns] Hopkinslacrosse fan, so that's cool. You like that, too. But, that'sreally not that relevant this week."

Welker is ready

Welker was in a pretty helpless position when New England lastfaced Baltimore in the playoffs. The wide receiver was enjoying arecord-setting season that year, but he tore ligaments in his kneeagainst Houston, the week before the wildcard round, and was unableto play against the Ravens.

"I mean, yeah, it's always tough when your team is out thereplaying and you're not able to, especially in the playoffs," Welkersaid. "We had such a good year that year and wanting to help myteam and things like that. I'm just glad it's behind me. I'm gladit's over and I'm in the position I'm in to be able to play in thisgame and hopefully make the most of my opportunity."

Losing two coaches

According to numerous reports, new Penn State head coach BillO'Brien, who is finishing up his responsibilities as the Patriots'offensive coordinator, will be bringing Patriots offensiveassistant George Godsey with him. Godsey will reportedly becomePenn State's quarterbacks coach.

Godsey joined New England last offseason, after spending theprevious seven seasons at the University of Central Florida as arunning backs and quarterbacks coach.